Abstract: A method for detecting damage and determining a type of damage and a degree or severity of damage to a component of a transmission. The method includes providing a first image of a portion of the component in a reference state and detecting a further image of the portion of the component after intended use. The further image of the portion of the component is detected in an installed state of the component. The method further includes determining, by comparing the further image with the first image, that the component is damaged, determining, by matching the further image against data of a damage database, a type of damage, and outputting the determined type of damage and a degree or severity of damage. The first image, the further image, and the data of the damage database are photographs.